headers are not $1000 I bought the uncoated long tubes, at the time they were around $680 ish motor mounts were only $275 ish. when i did the swap things were not as pricey as they are today. looking back at what i purchased minus the headers I would take the time to fabricate everything i could. also the MSD6 box was cheaper a few years ago as well.

I also stated I had the EFI system already. so yes 5 K is very easy to hit.

The junk yard motor was $150 bucks (I got Lucky)

I did everything on the cheap if you take your time to plan it out the cost does not have to be 10k. it will if you do a bunch of unnecessary machine work and do impulsive purchases. and I don't add my time to the build as this is my hobby not my living.

Yes, I have spent more money in the last few years on upgrades but that's after the first fire up and a summer of driving the car to shake it out. i think it's been 3 years running this junk yard motor.

I would say now that i made changes and upgrades to the motor over the last few years I have reached that $8k area.